There are two different opinions on the use of social media sites by minors. Some claim that it is more harmful while others say that it has no effect. What is certain is that China has already restricted access to the internet and video games for this group and Australia has passed a bill to block individuals under 16 from using social media.
France is now reportedly going to block access to social media for teenagers under 15 in just a few months. The drastic action was taken after a 14-year-old stabbed a school staff member to death in France yesterday during a bag check before entering the school grounds.
President Emanuel Macron was quoted as saying that he gave the European Union (EU) two months to start a movement to ban social media at the European level and if not, France would do it itself.
The authorities have yet to issue a statement on why the students attacked the staff and what the connection is with the use of social media by teenagers. However, many believe that social media is now like cigarettes, vaping, lead in petrol and CFCs which were once considered safe to use but are actually harmful.
Countries such as Australia and Indonesia have begun to take proactive steps by streamlining the legal aspects of limiting access to social media platforms to underage users, especially children. However, Malaysia does not yet have such a plan.
In Malaysia, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has stated the need for in-depth research into the psychological effects and differences in access to information between children and adolescents. At this time, the government does not intend to block access to social media for underage users.